2016: “I Don’t Regret A Single Moment, When I Think Of all Those Disappointments, I Just Laugh” – George Michael

I have not written in a while. I am not sure if it is a matter of lazy or busy or what…but, here I am, on the last day of 2016. So emotional, this year has been a complete myriad journey, consisting of the highest highs and the lowest of lows. I have met some of the best people in my life, and gotten rid of toxic dangers to humanity; people whom my mom has taught me to refer to as the bottom of the barrel, so as you would expect, I am here to discuss it all.

A year ago today, I was in Cartagena. The city was magical. How lucky was I to be in that humid heaven? SO lucky. Ringing it in, with fireworks, was priceless. A few months later, I ran for my life, out of that hell I was living, with my 9 suitcases….not to recap it all over again because it is enough to send one into an insane asylum, but I know that my post on my abusive situation helped a few of you followers, so in this new year, if you are being tortured, berated and/or broken down, you too can look at me as an example of what can come.

Life is about valuable lessons. I believe in introspection. When I left Mexico City and returned to my home of Miami, I was honored by Fashion Stylist extraordinaire Elysze Held, at Saks in Bal Harbour, for my great clothing. Not shocked. At the time, I was not doing well and before the function, when I barely had the energy to walk, I met some of Miami’s society girls at the Grill at Bal Harbour for some vino. I had a lengthy conversation with Eliah Beavers. She told me a story about her life, and asked me to take her advice, which was to change my picker when it came to men. I clearly kept making wrong decisions. She encouraged me to look at what I liked in former partners, and pick the opposite. I retained what I could, considering my capacity at the moment. I said I would try.

Another valuable lesson: listen to your friends. After a function at Bulgari in the Design District, my girlfriends Leslie and Tenia encouraged me to join Bumble. I was repulsed by the thought, but said okay. There is a 50-50 shot that you will swipe past a shirtless guy with Sensodyne on the bathroom counter. However, there are a few winners on there. Days later, I discovered a handsome man. I swiped right. To this day, I believe that it was the sweater that was wrapped around his waist that did me in. As you know, on Bumble, the women have to initiate the convo, so I said hello which opened the dialogue. A few days later, I flew to DC for Passover, and he went to Mexico, but having connected on the app in Miami, we started chatting, and set a date at River Yacht Club for the following week. I was not in the mood. Bible. I did a Snap Chat video, preaching “I’m going on my first date, and I am giving this guy 3 gingerale’s, a hour, and I am out.” That was one month to the day after I left Mexico City. Subsequently, that was my first date on the market, and my last date on the market. So, my advice to you is: listen to Eliah and change your picker. Miracles do happen.

Most recently, my ‘suegra,’ shared a very valuable expression with me. She told me ‘we have one life, so we must live it.’ It seems so basic, but finally, I feel like I am living the life I deserve. Unless you are down, face first, you can not pick yourself up. In the weirdest way, if I didn’t deal with Senor Satan, I would have never appreciated the greatness of the partner in my life.

In 2016, here were some of my highlights, many of which you will find in my album below. I got to witness one of my best friends, Neige, get married in Paris. I met the twins of another very close sista, Kimmi, in London, and my gorgeous friends Todd and Brian had twins as well. I started working again, along side my great friend Kristin and I learned that I am going to be an auntie to a baby boy in February. I joined the board of PAMM, and will be heavily involved in their gala. I turned 33 next to my roommate Lauren Gnazzo. I helped volunteer on Hillary’s campaign next to my beautiful family. I liquid lunched with Annhy, Nina & Leann. I started to pseudo DJ next to Gabby Mejia. I was educated about a group of people called Millennials, and I started writing for Toys for Boys Magazine. Thank you my gorgeous Jilian Sanz. I traveled to NYC with my momma + art + dinner parties, and met an amazingly special chick named Andrea Feick. Over all, I celebrated, danced, lived, loved and laughed. I helped some new friends out, and they helped me. Denise, I love you. I told you we would look back and say ‘thank god.’ Christian and Eric, you are the closest people I have to family. So proud of your merger this past year. I also have a superb new best friend named Tanya, who brightens my life. She also happens to be the sister of the man of my dreams. I have a healthy grandma who is 89 and hot as hell and a mother that every day I say thank god for. Mom, what would I do with out you? Gratitude = my life….and if I did not mention you, I still love you Kelly, Alissa, Sarah, Anna, Amy, Amaris, Mari, Krel, Carolyn, Bianca, Brooke, Sada, Vanessa A, Jacquelynn, Jessica K, Bird, Maria….and beyond! Oh, Maye and Raquel….YOU both deserve a special thank you. You know why.

Werkin' out with Thalia, Ginger n Austin at Soul Cycle.

Love Tanya

NYC debauchery with Omar and Andrea.

Ali's amazing wedding.

Marisas engagement party.

One of my oldest gal pals.

At Scotts in London with Irene!

Thanksgiving with Jon, Jess, Grandma and Alissa.

At Tanyas Art Basel opening with Tassandra, Saddie n Co!

Cipriani with Maria and Lauren.

At PAMM for the Gala Dinner with Jilian Sanz.

Patrick, Cristina, Guillermo, Anna, Andrea and Omar in NYC.

Neige and I in Paris.

My souls Christian and Eric at Toni's.

The Saks 5th Ave day in Bal Harbour.

Gabby, Momma and I at the Standard.

Momma n Elysze at Key Biscayne Tennis. Thank you Lacoste!

Young Arts Gala, where Max Mara dressed me.

3 generations of love at Granny B's B-day.

Maria and I at Fairchild Tropical Garden for Splendor in the Garden.

Lisa and Iran at Bal Harbours 50th Anniversary.

No More Tears event with Lauren Gnazzo.

The Hostess' of No More Tears at Jimmy Choo.

Maria and I at the Party we hosted at Calypso where 2 people showed up and the manager insulted me. HA.

Frida Kahlo's house with Mom, Christian and Eric and their nephew Paul.

Ma and I in Seattle.

At Seattle Art Museum with Kehinde and Craig.

Lauren Foster and I at Books & Books.

Besties Anna, Mari, Penny n Charmaine.

Our OH SO MEMORABLE - or not - birthday lunch at Mandolin.

Dinner with Esther, Zubin, Stacy, Britt n Christian in NYC!

In Mexico City en route to Hermes.....

Love my Leslie. At Kehinde - Lauryn Hill / Art Basel '16.

Canoe life with Kim & Athenais.

Never a bad shot of Jilian and I. Krug Dinner at PAMM. YAS.

Liquid lunch with Annhy, Leann n Nina.

Brian and Todd's models.

In Lady Cavendish' wig at Omar's, NYC.

My crew: Omar, Andrea and Keith in NYC.

Penny.

My all.

Tanya.

Meditating with Guru Made Sumantra.

Maria...one of a kind.

At the Surf Convention. Seen here in Leonard Paris at Typhoon Lagoon. Ew.

Franklin Sirmans, Jilian, Amaris and Jessica.

Lenny took this of us, for________.

Best. Danielle Smith at Botox Labb. Call now.

Tayo n Darryl.

Tanya and I at the Kehinde Dinner for Toys for Boys.

Milan Vukmirovic and I at the Fashion for Men cocktail at SoHO's Mandolin Beach.

Kristin's amazing birthday.

Mom and I working on the campaign of Hale Bob.

At Zona Maco, Mexico City.

In DC with Mom for Passover.

Palm Beach Life....

J'adore Beau.

Foster.

As we know, all good things come to an end, so in ending the year, I reflect upon the moment when I worked at Miami Pop and the human resources woman Lyn Williams (such a criminal, she stole from me), introduced me to a song, that I often sing on my power walks, and Gabby and I occasionally spin it together. Two days before George Michael passed away, I worked out on Brickell Avenue, and stopped to visit my friend Charmaine. I entered her apt, singing this song “I knew you were waiting for me,” doing my dance and belting it out. Sad enough, we all knew what happened just this past week. May this legend rest in peace, but the lyrics are impressive, a true narrative of 2016 through my eyes.

Here you go.

I wish you a Happy New Year. I hope there are a few valuable lessons in here. I wish you love, light, health….only good things, and I promise to post more, because I know you love it.